Novel textile reinforced thin-walled thermoplastic or thermoset medium pressure pipes

ABSTRACT

Novel thin-walled thermoplastic or thermoset pipes of at most 5 millimeters in thickness which can withstand a varied range of internally generated and/or applied pressures up to at least 5 bars, preferably at least 20 bars, for utilization within, primarily, liquid transport systems. Such pipes are improvements over standard metal (i.e., steel, lead, and the like) pipes due to construction costs, shipping costs, implementation costs (particularly underground), flexibility (and thus modulus strength allowances) to compensate for underground movements (i.e., earthquakes and tremors), non-rusting characteristics, reduced crack propagation possibilities, and ease in manufacture. Such pipes are preferably reinforced with specific textile reinforcement materials that permit a lower thickness of plastic to be utilized than is generally required to withstand high pressure situations and also serve to prevent propagation of any cracks which may develop within the thermoplastic or thermoset materials. Such pipes exhibit an elongation at break in relation to that provided by the textile reinforcement and not with regard to the same type of elongation at break characteristic for the thermoplastic or thermoset composition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to novel thin-walledthermoplastic or thermoset pipes of at most 5 millimeters in thicknesswhich can withstand a varied range of internally generated and/orapplied pressures up to at least 5 bars, preferably at least 20 bars,for utilization within, primarily, liquid transport systems. Such pipesare improvements over standard metal (i.e., steel, lead, and the like)pipes due to construction costs, shipping costs, implementation costs(particularly underground), flexibility (and thus modulus strengthallowances) to compensate for underground movements (i.e., earthquakesand tremors), non-rusting characteristics, reduced crack propagationpossibilities, and ease in manufacture. Such pipes are preferablyreinforced with specific textile reinforcement materials that permit alower thickness of plastic to be utilized than is generally required towithstand high pressure situations and also serve to prevent propagationof any cracks which may develop within the thermoplastic or thermosetmaterials. Such pipes exhibit an elongation at break in relation to thatprovided by the textile reinforcement and not with regard to the sametype of elongation at break characteristic for the thermoplastic orthermoset composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Underground transport of liquids and gases has been utilized formany years. Such underground transport has proven to be the mostefficient and safest manner in which to transport potentially explosive,flammable, and/or toxic liquids (such as crude oil, for example) andgases (such as methane and propane, as examples) long distances. Theprinciple method followed to provide such long distance undergroundtransport has been through metal tubes and pipes. In the past, theutilization of metals (such as steel, copper, lead, and the like) waseffective from cost and raw material supply perspectives. However, withthe population growing throughout the world and the necessity fortransporting liquids and gases to more remote locations increases, thecontinued utilization of such metal articles has become more and moredifficult for a number of reasons. Initially, the production of suchmetal tubes and pipes must be undertaken through high-temperatureproduction methods at specific foundries which are normally located asubstantial distance from the desired installation site. Such off-siteproduction thus requires transport of cumbersome metal articles to theinstallation location and then subsequent placement into already-dugchannels. These procedures are, again, difficult to follow since metalarticles are rather heavy and must be connected together to form thedesired pipeline. Additionally, in order to reduce the number ofconnections between individual pipes, longer metal pipes could beformed, which adds to the complexity with an increase in required weldedconnections. Further problems associated with metal pipes and tubesinclude, without limitation, the potential for rusting (which maycontaminate the transported liquid or gas), the low threshold ofearth-shifting which could cause a break within the pipeline, and thedifficulty in replacing worn out metal pipes in sections, again due tothe metal pipe weight, metal pipe length, and connection welds. Thesebreak problems have proven to be extremely troublesome in certaingeographic areas which are susceptible to earthquakes and tremors on aregular basis. When such unexpected quakes have occurred in the past,the metal gas and liquid pipelines have not proven to be flexible enoughto withstand the shear forces applied thereto and explosions, leaks, ordiscontinued supplies to such areas have resulted. These metal articleshave remained in use because of their ability to withstand higherpressures. Furthermore, although such metal pipes are designed towithstand such high pressures (i.e., above 80 bars, for instance), oncea crack develops within the actual metal pipe structure, it has beenfound that such cracks easily propagate and spread in size and possiblynumber upon the application of continued high pressure to the sameweakened area. In such an instance, failure of the pipe is thereforeimminent unless closure is effectuated and repairs or replacements areundertaken.

[0003] Although there is a need to produce new pipelines to remotelocations around the world, there is also a need to replace thenow-deteriorating pipelines already in use. Aging pipelines haverecently caused great concern as to the safety of utilizing such oldarticles. Unexpected explosions have occurred with tragic consequences.Thorough review and replacement of such old metal pipes is thusnecessary; however, due to the difficulties in determining the exactsections of such pipelines which require replacement, there is a desireto completely replace old pipelines but following the same exact routes.Again, due to the difficulties noted above, there is a perceived need todevelop more reasonable, safer, longer-lasting, easier-to-install,non-rusting, non-crack propagating, and more flexible pipelinematerials. To date, there have been some new thermoset or thermoplasticarticles which are designed to withstand lower pressure applications(i.e., 20 bars or below) and which include certain fiber-woundreinforcement materials (including fiberglass, polyaramids, polyesters,polyamides, carbon fibers, and the like). However, the resultantarticles do not include specific textile reinforcements (they are fiberswound around specific layers of plastic material) and thus are difficultand rather costly to produce. Furthermore, such fiber-wound materialscannot be easily produced at the pipe installation site again due to thecomplexity of creating fiber-wound reinforcement articles subsequent tothermoplastic or thermoset layer production. Additionally, with suchoff-site production, transport and in-ground placement remain adifficult problem.

[0004] Of greater concern, however, is the fact that such lower pressurefiber-wound reinforced pipes must exhibit a pipe wall thickness of atleast 6 millimeters. This requirement is primarily due to the fact thatproduction of such lower pressure articles is necessarily accomplishedat higher temperatures to effectuate proper adhesion between thefiber-wound reinforcement component and the thermoplastic or thermosetresin. Without such adhesion, the reinforcement layer does not remain inproper contact with the resin and therefor cannot provide the requisitelimiting elongation characteristics desired. Thus, higher temperatures(above about 170° C., for example) must be utilized during pipeproduction to provide such adhesion. However, at such high temperatures,the resin component is highly amorphous and thus exhibits little or nostructural integrity. The utilization of fiber-wound reinforcementmaterials requires the actual wrapping of the target resin in specificconfigurations in order to provide the needed reinforcement properties.Such wrapping itself requires that a certain degree of tension beapplied to the fiber-wound material (and thus to the resin component aswell) during application. As such tensioning and wrapping must occurduring high temperature exposure (again, for adhesive reasons), the lackof structural integrity (particularly with very low thicknesses of belowabout 6 millimeters) of the amorphous resin component thus results inthe impossibility of applying such fiber-wound materials to the resincomponent to the extent that such materials provide the desired highelongation and thus pressure resistance effects. Considering the need toreduce cost in resin components, the ability to utilize lower amounts ofsuch potentially expensive thermoplastics or thermosets is of greatimportance. With that in mind, the ability to utilize extremelythin-walled resin pipes which exhibit relatively high (and unexpected)pressure resistance properties is of great interest and need. To date,however, as discussed above, there have been no lower pressure (i.e.,between 1 and 80 bar pressure resistance, and particularly, exhibitingat least 20 bar resistance within that range) reinforced pipes producedor taught within the industry which utilized resin components at a wallthickness of at most 5 millimeters (and certainly not as low as 3, andmore preferably 1 millimeter). Since replacement of relatively expensiveand unreliable metal articles providing the same lower pressureresistances is highly desired, there simply is no viable thin-walledalternative presented to date within the pertinent prior art whichaccords the underground liquid (and possibly gas) transport industry amanner of replacing such lower pressure metal or thick-walled reinforcedresin articles.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is thus an object of this invention to provide such a viablealternative method for replacing or overcoming the shortcomings anddifficulties of lower pressure (i.e., about 20 bars) underground metalpipes and tubes. Another object of this invention is to provide asuitable fabric reinforcement system which permits a relatively lowamount (at most about 5 millimeters wall thickness) of thermoplastic orthermoset composition to be utilized in order to produce apressure-resistant thermoplastic pipe article. Yet another object ofthis invention is to provide an interlocking or interfolding mechanismto best ensure the textile reinforcement layer remains in place duringand after introduction of the outer thermoplastic or thermoset layer.Still another object of this invention is to provide a suitablesimplified method of producing such a textile-reinforced thermoplasticpipe article.

SUMMARY AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Accordingly, this invention encompasses a pipe comprising atleast one layer of thermally manipulated polymeric material and at leastone layer of at least one textile reinforcement material, wherein saidthermally manipulated polymeric material exhibits an average wallthickness for said pipe of at most 5 millimeters, wherein said pipeexhibits a pressure resistance of at least 20 bars (either frominternally generated or externally generated pressures), and wherein theelongation at break exhibited by such a pipe is limited solely to theelongation at break exhibited by said textile reinforcement material.The elongation at break of such reinforcement material is at most 50%,preferably at most 30%, more preferably at most 20%, still morepreferably at most 15%, even more preferably at most 10%, and mostpreferably at most 6%. Preferably said pipe, having such thin walls, isconstructed to withstand at least 20 bars of internal pressure, as notedabove, before exceeding the elongation at break limit. An alternativeyet also preferred embodiment is a pipe which exhibits at most 20 barsof pressure of internal pressure before exceeding the elongation atbreak limit. and a wall thickness of said polymeric material of at most{fraction (1/15)}th of the diameter of said pipe, preferably at mostabout {fraction (1/25)}^(th), more preferably at most about {fraction(1/50)}, and most preferably at most about {fraction (1/100)}^(th), withthe proviso that the wall thickness itself cannot exceed 5 millimeters(and thus the diameter of the subject pipe can be as much as about 500millimeters, at its greatest). Also contemplated within this inventionis the pipe as noted above wherein the textile reinforcement materialintroduced within said pipe is a flat structure having a first side anda second side which is formed into a tubular structure around the innerpolymeric layer upon overlapping contact of said first and second sidesand which possesses means to adhere or interlock said overlapped firstand second sides, as well as a multiple layer resin component andmultiple textile reinforcement components contacted together to providethe desired pressure resistance.

[0007] The term “thermally manipulated polymeric material” is intendedto encompass the well known polymeric compositions of a) thermoplasticsand b) thermosets. Such terms are well known and describe a) anysynthetic polymeric material that exhibits a modification in physicalstate from solid to liquid upon exposure to sufficiently hightemperatures and b) any synthetic polymeric material that exhibitsorientation in a preselected configuration upon exposure to sufficientlyhigh temperatures. Most notable of the preferred thermoplastic types ofmaterials are polyolefins (i.e., polypropylene, polyethylene, and thelike), polyester (i.e., polyethylene terephthalate, and the like),polyamides (i.e., nylon-1,1, nylon-1,2, nylon-6 or nylon-6,6), andpolyvinyl halides (i.e., polyvinyl chloride and polyvinvyl difluoride,as merely examples). Preferred within this invention are polyolefins,and most preferred is polypropylene. Such materials are generallypetroleum byproducts and are readily available worldwide. Thesematerials are produced through the polymerization of similar ordifferent monomers followed by the melt extrusion of the polymerizedmaterials in pellet form into the desired shape or configuration. Uponsolidification through cooling, such materials exhibit extremely highpressure resistance, particularly upon introduction of nucleatingagents, such as substituted or unsubstituted dibenzylidene sorbitols,available from Milliken & Company under the tradename Millad®, and/orcertain sodium organic salts, available form Asahi Denka under thetradename NA-11™. Such nucleating agents are either mixed and providedwithin the pelletized polymers, or admixed within the melted polymercomposition prior to extrusion. These compounds provide strengthenhancements and accelerate thermoplastic production by producingcrystalline networks within the final thermoplastic product upon coolingat relatively high temperatures. Theoretically, at least, with astronger initial thermoplastic product, the more durable and potentiallylonger functional lifetime provided by such a product. Preferredthermoset materials include materials such as polyurethane,polycarbonate, or the like.

[0008] Since pipe diameters utilized for largescale undergroundtransport applications are generally measured in feet rather than inchesor millimeters, the wall thicknesses required to provide the desiredhigh pressure characteristics are extremely high for thermoplastics orthermosets alone. Although such thermoplastic and/or thermoset materialsprovide certain pressure resistances, in general the wall thicknessrequired to withstand pressures of about 20 bars requires a wallthickness of at least about 6 millimeters (without the utilization oftextile reinforcement materials as now taught). With the inventivepipes, a wall thickness of at most 5 millimeters may be practiced (ofcourse, thicknesses greater than this limit may also be practiced, but,for this invention, the ability to reduce the wall thickness below 6millimeters is quite significant and previously unattainable forresinous pipes). Even with such thicker walls (at least 6 millimeters)as taught with the aforementioned fiber-wound materials (polyaramidtapes, for example), the polymeric materials would not provide anyresistance to crack propagation should a weakened area of the pipeproduce such a burst point. There is a strong desire to increase thepressure resistance (and thus consequently, the elongation at breakcharacteristics) of the target polymeric pipe material in order eitherto provide much thinner wall thicknesses without a loss in pressureresistance as compared with the standard polymeric materials alone, orto provide greater pressure resistant thin-walled pipes which are morereliable upon exposure to relatively high pressure situations (about atleast 20 bars). Such desirable benefits have, again, been unavailableand unattainable through the utilization of fiber-wound reinforcementmaterials (for the reasons discussed above) and, more importantly, arenot possible with thin-walled resinous pipes without any reinforcementmaterials combined therewith.

[0009] Apparently, upon application of internal pressure within suchnon-reinforced thermoplastic and/or thermoset piping materials, thematerials expand in the direction dictated by the pressure thereforethinning the wall thickness either to the point of breaking (i.e., tothe elongation at break limit) or until the pressure is discontinued.After discontinuing the pressure, however, the pipe walls do not returnto their original thicknesses. Also, if the pressure is appliedunevenly, or if there is a discrete area within the thermoplastic orthermoset pipe wall which is already thinner than the other areas, thenthe pipe will more easily burst in relation to the pressure buildup orin relation to the thinner wall portion. In order to alleviate suchdetrimental expansion and burst possibilities within thermoplasticpiping materials, reinforcing materials have been developed tocompensate for such problems. However, in the past, such pipingmaterials have been limited primarily to hoses and short tubes (i.e.,automobile tubing) which did not require the ability to withstandextremely high pressures.

[0010] It has now been found that the incorporation of certain textilereinforcement materials permit reduction of the wall thickness of suchpipes to at most 5 millimeters which can still withstand pressures of atleast 20 bars. As even lower amounts of resin are, for cost andprocessing purposes, highly desired, preferably, then, the thickness ofthe inventive pipe walls should be no greater than about 4 millimeters,more preferably at most 3 millimeters, and, most preferably, at most 1millimeter. Since the textile reinforcement materials are wrapped aroundthe target resin component without the need for deleterious tensioning(as discussed above for the fiber-wound tapes, etc.), and, uponapplication thereto, the amorphous resin is able to enter theinterstices of such textile, upon cooling adhesion thereto iseffectuated. Thus, thinner walled pipes are possible with reinforcementcomponents integrated therein which permit higher elongation at breakcharacteristics to the overall article which, in turn, permits greaterabilities for the article to withstand pressure. The term “withstandpressure” is intended to encompass the ability to prevent elongation ofthe entire pipe material to a point of breaking or weakening in discreteareas (i.e., thinning of certain areas to permit leakage). Such abilityto withstand pressure is imperative since the utilization of relativelyhigh pressures internally provides a consistent and continuous forceseeking equilibrium with the external pressures. Any excess thinning ofthe pipe material would therefore most likely result in bursting of thepipe due to physical requirements of equaling pressures. Such textilereinforcement materials thus aid in the reduction of elongation of thethermoplastic or thermoset pipe components upon application of highpressures therein. As noted previously, it has been determined that theelongation at break of such textile reinforcements provides the overallelongation at break exhibited by the target pipe article, particularlyupon the presence of such reinforcement materials between at least twodistinct layers of thermoplastic or thermoset materials. In such amanner, the entire article relies primarily upon at least one textilereinforcement layer to provide the desired high elongation at breaklimit and the low crack propagation exhibited by the reinforcedthermoplastic or thermoset material. Furthermore, such a reinforcementmaterial also aids in providing an increased tear resistance to theoverall pipe article which aids in reducing the chances of a breach instructural integrity as a result of external shear force application(i.e., earth tremors, and the like). Since there is strict reliance uponsuch properties exhibited and provided by the textile reinforcementlayer, the amount of thermoplastic or thermoset materials can besubstantially reduced with no reduction in reliability under pressurizedsituations. Also, if so desired, the user may still utilize asubstantial amount of thermoplastic or thermoset material in combinationwith the sandwiched textile reinforcement layer or layers withconfidence that, again, the inventive pipe article will exhibit improvedand reliable pressure resistance, crack propagation resistance, and tearresistance.

[0011] Of enormous importance in this instance is the flexibilityexhibited by the inventive pipes when subjected to external shearforces, for example earth tremors, and the like. Such flexibilitypermits the pipes to exhibit some movement in relation to the shearforces generated by such external occurrences. In the past, as notedabove, metal pipes suffered from the lack of flexibility in that theapplication of such external shear forces would result in the burst ofcertain pipes due to such external forces exceeding the shear forcethreshold possessed by the metal materials. Such flexibility is mostsuitably measured in terms of tear resistance to the overall pipearticle. In general, metal pipes exhibit at most a tear resistance ofabout 6% (copper exhibits the highest such tear resistance), which isextremely low when the potential for very strong shear forcesunderground are significant particularly in certain parts of the worldprone to earth tremors, earthquakes, and the like). The thermoplasticsand/or thermosets provide initial tear resistance measurements in excessof at least 20%, with a potential high measurement of more than about100%, particularly upon incorporation of the sandwiched textilereinforcement material as discussed above. Thus, the inventive pipesshould be able to withstand enormous shear forces, at least better thanmetal pipes, due to their exhibited tear resistance and thus flexibilitycharacteristics.

[0012] As noted above, at least one layer (also preferred are multiplelayers) of such thermoplastic and/or thermoset material is presentwithin the inventive thermoplastic and/or thermoset pipes. Attached,through adhesion (either by the resin's own adhesive properties orthrough the utilization of adhesion promoters, etc.) to this layer(s) isa textile reinforcement material. The total wall thickness of theinventive pipe, as noted above, is dependent upon the discretion of theproducer and in relation to the properties provided by the textilereinforcement layer itself. If a thin-walled, low pressure pipe isdesired, then the typical wall thickness may be anywhere from about 0.5to about 5 millimeters. A higher elongation at break characteristicexhibited by the textile reinforcement permits lower thicknesses to beutilized. Such elongation at break characteristics are generallymeasured by the amount of force such textile reinforcements maywithstand. Thus, a textile exhibiting at least an elongation at break ofabout 2-3% (i.e., similar to that exhibited by steel but greater thanfor most thermoplastic and/or thermoset compositions) is desired. Ofcourse, textile materials exhibiting far in excess of this elongation atbreak minimum are more preferred, with no real maximum level, only thatwhich may deleteriously affect the overall stiffness of the product,thereby potentially providing tear resistance problems. The elongationat break level for preferred textile reinforcements is determined by anumber of factors, including the tenacity of the constituent fiberswithin the textile (a higher dtex provides a stronger textile overall),the angle of contact in relation to the direction of the pipe (angles ofform 40 to 70° are preferred, while specific angles of between 45 and65° and 50 and 55° are more preferred, respectively. An angle ofspecifically 54°44′ has been found to provide the greatest overallstrength to the target pipe article. Thicker layers of textilereinforcement material also appear to provide stronger overall products,as do scrim and in-laid textiles.

[0013] The term “textile reinforcement material” or “textilereinforcement” or “textile reinforcement layer” simply requires acombination of individual yarns or fibers in a configuration which is anintegrated two-dimensional article prior to incorporation with thethermally manipulated polymeric materials. Thus, wound stripsincorporated over a completed inner layer is not encompassed within sucha definition. Nor are fiber-containing tape articles which are alsowound around a formed polymeric pipe article. The specific textilereinforcement materials may be of any particular configuration, shape,and composition. The inventive textile reinforcements are present as atleast a single layer of material with a total aggregate thickness of atleast about 500 microns, preferably at least about 400 microns, morepreferably at least about 300, and most preferably up to about 300microns. Such textiles preferably exhibit a mesh structure which aids inadhesion, particularly when placed between two layers of thermoplasticand/or thermoset materials. In general, it is highly desired thatsynthetic fibers, either alone, or in conjunction with metal threads, beutilized within the reinforcement materials. Such synthetics are lesslikely to be susceptible to deterioration over time due to potentialpresence of bacteria, moisture, salts, and the like, within and aroundthe pipes as they would be positioned underground. However, with theproper precautions of proper coating, finishing, and the like, naturalfibers may serve this purpose as well. The preferred textilereinforcements may be knit, scrim, woven, non-woven, in-laid, and thelike, in form, with non-woven, scrim, and in-laid textiles mostpreferred. Such forms are most easily produced and maneuvered during theactual pipe production procedure. With in-laid textiles, at least twolayers are desired to have one layer oriented at one angle and the otherits complement in relation to the direction of the target thermoplasticpipe. Thus, one layer would be placed with all yarns and/or fibersoriented at an angle of about 54° 44′ to the pipe direction, the otheroriented at an angle of about −54° 44′. In order to more easily holdsuch in-laid fabric layers in place, a thermoplastic film may be appliedeither between or on top of one or both layers. Such a film ispreferably extremely thin (i.e., less than about 200 microns, preferablyless than 100 microns, and most preferably less than about 50 microns)and, being a thermoplastic, will easily react with the outer layer ofthermoplastic upon heating and molding around the inner layer/fabricreinforcement composite. Alternatively, sewn threads may be utilized tohold such multiple layers in place prior to, during, and after pipeproduction.

[0014] The yarns within the specific textile reinforcement materials maybe either of multifilament or monofilament and preferably possess arelatively high dtex, again, to provide the desired tenacity andstrength to the overall pipe article. A range of decitex of from about200 to about 24,000 is therefore acceptable. Mixtures of such individualfibers may be utilized as well as long as the elongation at break of thecomplete textile reinforcement material dictates the elongation at breakfor the complete thermoplastic and/or thermoset article. Multifilamentfibers are preferred since they provides better adhesive properties andgreater overall strength to the textile. The individual fibers may be ofpolyester, polyamide, polyaramid, polyimide, carbon, fiberglass(silicon-based, for example), boron-derivative, and possibly,polyolefin, in nature. Again, natural fibers, such as cotton, wool,hemp, and the like, may be utilized but are not as trustworthy as thesynthetitic types listed above. Due to high processing temperaturesassociated with polymeric pipe extruding, it is highly desirable toavoid the sole utilization of low melting-point polyolefin yarns.However, a plurality of individual fibers of such polyolefins (i.e.,polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like) may be utilized incombination with the other synthetic fibers in order to improve adhesionupon melting of such yarns upon exposure to the higher temperaturespresent during the contacting of the textile reinforcement to thethermoplastic and/or thermoset inner and outer layers. Fiberglass andboron-derivatives are preferred due to their strength characteristicsand their alkaline resistance. The remaining fibers are also acceptable,including, most prominently, polyaramids, polyimides, carbon fibers, andpolyesters. Polyesters are desirable from a cost standpoint while theremaining fibers are excellent with regards to strength.

[0015] Of particular preference within this invention are yarns ofcore-sheath types, as taught within U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,030 to DeMeyer,herein entirely incorporated by reference. Such specific yarns permitbreakage of the sheath components without affecting the strength of thecore filaments therein. Such core filaments may be monofilamentsynthetic fibers (such as polyester, polyamides, polyaramids,polyolefins, and the like), although, in one potentially preferredembodiment, at least a portion of such core filaments are metallic innature (such as, preferably, copper, silver, gold, and the like) inorder to permit conduction of electrical current and/or heat over theentire pipeline. Such metal threads, fibers, yarns, etc., are notlimited to being core filaments and thus may be present as distinctin-laid, woven, knit, no-woven, placed, scrim, components.

[0016] Such metallic components provide great strength as needed withinthe fabric reinforcement materials; however, they also may serve toprovide other highly desirable benefits for both the inventive pipes andthe overall pipeline comprising such pipes. For example, such conductivecomponents may permit the introduction of a low electrical current overthe entire pipeline (through a continuous connection of metalcomponents) or through certain segments thereof. In such a manner, adetection system may be implemented to determine where and at what timea pipe has burst or a leak is present. Upon interruption of the desiredelectrical signal (i.e., the specific amps of current), a valve may beoperated to close off a certain portion of the pipeline until repairsare made. Such a system merely requires the connection of an ampmeter tothe pipeline and integration of a valve in relation to the measuredamperage flowing through the pipeline itself. Furthemore, with such adetection system, the ability to detect such problems from above-groundwould be provided as well as a signal in relation to a low amperagecount can be produced thereby signifying the specific location of theproblem. Such a method thus facilitates detection and replacement ofsuch thermoplastic pipes.

[0017] Additionally, in certain locations freezing temperatures mayprovide difficulty in transporting certain gases and liquids undergroundwithout the ability to provide heated pipes. The presence of metalyarns, etc., facilitates the generation of heat, potentially, within thedesired pipes with, again, the introduction of certain selected amountsof current and/or heat over the metal components. The heat generatedthereby may be utilized to effectively keep the desired pipes fromfreezing thereby permitting continuous transport therethrough.

[0018] Even upon utilization of a fabric reinforcement materialconfigured at the preferred angles noted above in relation to the pipedirection (i.e., 40 to 70°, most preferably 55°), the addition of across-yarn within each repeating design, stitch, pattern, etc.,configured at an angle of 0° in relation to the pipe direction is highlydesired. Such a cross-yarn permits melting of the entire pipe structureat discrete places in order to allow for curvatures to be introducedwithin the pipeline without deleteriously affecting the strength of theremaining fabric reinforcement material or compromising the shearstrength of the entire pipe composite, particularly at the specific bentplace. Such an improvement again shows the benefits of thermoplastichighi pressure pipes since such curvatures may be produced at any angleand on-site on an as needed basis. Historically utilized metal pipesrequired formation of necessary curvatures at the foundry; if the angleof curvature was incorrect, new parts had to be produced to compensatefor such a mistake. The inventive pipes permit on-site corrections ifnecessary.

[0019] It is desirable that the fabric reinforcement materials are inmesh form and thus exhibit open spaces between the constituent fibersand/or yarns therein. Such open space should be large enough to permit aportion of the heated liquid outer thermoplastic layer to adhere to thealready formed inner thermoplastic layer therethrough and after coolingof the outer layer. In such a manner, not only is the three layer pipestronger, the reinforcement materials are better held in place. Althoughlarger open spaces between constituent fibers and/or yarns arepreferred, the only requirement is that at least a portion of the outerlayer exhibit some ability to adhere with the surface of the inner layerin contact with the fabric reinforcement materials. Thus, a range ofpreferred open space between individual constituent yarns of an area aslow as 0.001 square millimeters and as high as about 1 square centimeteris desired.

[0020] Also, multiple textile reinforcement components may be utilizedto provide such elongation at break characteristics. For instance,multiple layers of textile material may be applied to the target resin.Or, as another example, multiple strips of textile materials may beplaced in contact with one another around the circumference of thetarget resin component as well. In such an instance, such textilecomponents must be attached in some relation to best guarantee that anyelongation at break properties are reliant upon the textile itself andnot upon the resin component. Thus, either hooks, velcro, glue, or, mostpreferably, tapered ends of such textile components (which thereforeconnect together adhesively upon introduction of molten resin whichsubsequently cools) may be utilized for this purpose. Even with a singletextile layer and component, since such a flat textile component must beconfigured around a rounded resin component, such connections arenecessary as well.

[0021] The polymeric material layer(s) and textile reinforcementlayer(s) may comprise any number of additives for standard purposes,such as antimicrobial agents, colorants, antistatic compounds, and thelike. Such antimicrobial agents would potentially protect the innerlining from colonization of unwanted and potentially dangerous bacteria(which could potentially create greater pressure within the pipes if aproper nutrition source is present). Preferably, such an antimicrobialagent would be inorganic in nature and relatively easy to introducewithin the thermoplastic compositions within the pipe. Thus,silver-based ion-exchange compounds (such as ALPHASAN®, available fromMilliken & Company, and other types, such as silver alone, silverchloride, silver-based zeolites, silver-based glasses, and the like) arepreferred for this purpose. Colorants may be utilized to easilydistinguish the thermoplastic layers for identification purposes. Anypigment, polymeric colorant, dye, or dyestuff which is normally utilizedfor such a purpose may be utilized in this respect for this invention.Antistatic compounds, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, and thelike, permit static charge dissipation within the desired thermoplasticmaterials in order to reduce the chances of instantaneous sparkproduction which could theoretically ignite certain transported gasesand/or liquids. Although the chances of such spark ignition areextremely low, such an additive may be necessary to aid in this respect.

[0022] Such fabric reinforcement materials provide the aforementionedresistance to expansion, swelling, and/or burst due to the applicationof extremely high internal pressures within the target thermoplasticpipe material. Preferably, the fabric reinforcement material isconfigured at an angle of about 55° (54° 44′) in relation to thedirection of the target pipe itself. In such a manner, the fabricprovides the best overall strength and thus resistance to internalpressures due to its resistance to shear forces generated by theinternal pressure within the pipe. Depending on the amount of fabricutilized, however, the angle of contact may be as low as 0° and as highas 90°. With an angle configured in the same direction as the pipeitself, there is a higher risk of pipe burst due to the low shear forcethreshold provided by the fabric. Thicker fabrics may compensate forsuch shear force problems; however, the actual angle of contact shouldbe from about 40 to about 70°, with the particular 54° 44′ angle mostpreferred. Furthermore, the number of fabric layers utilized may beplural to provide greater reinforcement strength. In such an instance,it is highly desirable that contacting layers of fabrics be configuredat opposite angles of contact in relation to the pipe direction toaccord, again, the strongest reinforcement possible. The utilization ofa supplemental textile reinforcement layer oriented at an angle ofcontact with the pipe direction of either 0 or 90° imparts certaindesirable properties to the overall pipe article. Most notably, crushresistance is provided to ready-made pipes which are necessarily woundon a creel for transport to an installation site. A 0° reinforcementangle provides the best stiffness to compensate for the weight generatedby rolled pipes. Also, should an initial production of the inner layerbe desired in roll form, the incorporation of such a 0° textilereinforcement component may alleviate crushing problems associated withsuch storage and transport. A 90° orientation improves upon the tearresistance of the final product.

[0023] Although only one specific layer of thermoplastic and/orthermoset materials is required for such thin-walled pipe articles, itis to be understood that more than one such layer is acceptable withinthis invention. Such additional layers may be of any type (and notnecessarily thermoplastic and/or thermoset), including, withoutlimitation, metal, ceramic, glass-filled plastic, rubber, and the like.

[0024] Other alternatives to this inventive article will be apparentupon review of the preferred embodiments within the drawings asdiscussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

[0026]FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention illustrated asthe pipe 10;

[0027]FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the pipe 10 from FIG. 1;

[0028]FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an apparatus forforming the pipe from FIG. 1;

[0029] FIGS. 4A-H illustrate cross-sectional views of the apparatus andpipe from FIG. 3, illustrating the method of joining a reinforcingfabric with an inner wall;

[0030]FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of a textile for use in formingthe pipe from FIG. 1 with the apparatus in FIG. 3;

[0031]FIG. 6 illustrates a textile for use as the reinforcing fabric forforming the pipe from FIG. 1 with the apparatus in FIG. 3; and

[0032]FIG. 7 illustrates an apparatus for the in situ formation andplacement of the pipe from FIG. 1.

[0033]FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another preferredembodiment of a pipe showing the utilization of multiple textilereinforcement components connected by tapered ends and placed around thecircumference of the resin material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to potentially preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which have been illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that these are in noway intended to limit the invention to such illustrated and describedembodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as may be included within the true spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims andequivalents thereto.

[0035] Referring now to the figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown a pipe 10 illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention. The pipe 10 generally includes an inner wall 110, areinforcing textile 120, and an outer wall 130. The inner wall 110 ispreferably formed of a thermoplastic material, and has an inner passagesurface 111 and an inner wall textile interface zone 113. The thicknessas measured between the inner wall 110 and the outer wall 130 is at most5 millimeters, and here is exemplified as about 3 millimeters. The innerpassage surface 111 defines the interior of the pipe 10. The outer wall130 is preferably formed of a thermoplastic material, and has an outersurface 133 and an outer wall textile interface zone 131. Thereinforcing textile 120 wraps around the inner wall 110 and engages theinner wall textile interface surface 133. The reinforcing textile 120has a sufficient width to surround the inner wall 110, and have textileoverlap sections 121 where the edges of the reinforcing material overlaparound the inner wall 110. A textile locking system 123 is employedbetween the textile overlap sections 121 to prevent the ends of thereinforcing material 120 from separating. The outer wall textileinterface surface 131 engages the reinforcing textile 120 and the outerwall surrounds the reinforcing textile 120. Such a textile lockingsystem 123 may alternatively comprise an adhesive composition (such as,as merely example, heat-activated or pressure-activated adhesives) whichpermits a secure, long-term connection between the overlap sections 121and thus prevents separation of the two sections upon pipe productionand potential elongation caused by high internal pressures.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross section of anapparatus 200 for forming the pipe 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus200 generally includes an inner wall die 210, a mandrel 220, areinforcing textile guide 230, and an outer wall die 240. The inner walldie 210 has an inner wall die aperture 211. The mandrel 220 extendsthrough the inner wall die aperture 211 and includes an outer surface221 for forming the inner passage 111 of the pipe 10 and providingsupport to the inner wall 110 during the formation of the pipe 10.

[0037] Still referring to FIG. 3, the reinforcing textile guide 230 ispositioned around the mandrel 220 after the inner wall die 210. Thereinforcing textile guide 230 includes an inside textile guide 231 andan outside textile guide 232 for guiding the edges of the reinforcingtextile 120 to position the reinforcing textile 120 around the innerwall 110. In one embodiment of the apparatus 200, the reinforcingtextile guide 230 includes a joint material injector 235 that is locatedto insert a material between the overlap textile sections 121. In yetanother preferred embodiment, the reinforcing textile guide 230 includesa closing roller 237 that presses the overlapping portions of thereinforcing textile 120 together.

[0038] Referring still to FIG. 3, the outer wall die 240 is locatedaround the mandrel 220 and includes an inside die wall 241 and anoutside die wall 245. The inside die wall 241 of the outer wall die 240includes an inside die wall aperture 242 to receive the inner wall 110and reinforcing textile 120 combination. The inside die wall aperture242 has an inside die wall aperture taper 243 for assisting the innerwall 110 and reinforcing textile 120 combination to transition into theouter wall die 240. The outer wall die 240 also has an outside die wall245 with an outside wall die aperture 246. A passage 223 in the mandrel220 provides air pressure to the inside of the pipe 10 at a point afterthe outer wall die 240 forms the outer wall 130 on the pipe 10. Aconnecting chain 225 secures a plug 224 inside the pipe 10 seals to themandrel 220 in order to maintain the pressure from the mandrel 220within the pipe 10.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, in operation, a thermoplasticmaterial is extruded through the inner wall die aperture 211 onto theouter surface 221 of the mandrel 220 to form the inner wall 110 of thepipe 10. The outer surface of the mandrel 220 provides support to theinner wall 110 of the pipe 10 during the processes of applying thereinforcing textile 120 and the outer wall 130. After the inner wall 110has been extruded onto the mandrel 220, the reinforcing textile guide230 positions the reinforcing textile 120 onto the inner wall textileinterface zone 113.

[0040] Referring now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4A-H, the inside textileguide 231 and the outside textile guide 232 guide opposing ends of thereinforcing textile 120 as the reinforcing textile 120 is positionedonto the inner wall textile interface zone 113. FIGS. 4A-H illustratethe sequence of how the reinforcing textile guide 230 apply thereinforcing textile 120 onto the inner wall textile interface zone 113of the inner wall 110 in a sequential manner. The inside textile guide231 first applies one edge of the reinforcing textile 120 to the innerwall 110 of the pipe 10. As the inner wall 110 of the pipe 10 progressesalong the extruding apparatus 20, the outside textile guide 232continues to wrap the reinforcing textile 120 around the textileinterface zone 113 of the inner wall 110. In this manner, thereinforcing textile 120 surrounds the inner pipe 110 in a way thatreduces the possibility of wrinkles in the reinforcing textile 120 orair pockets between the inner wall 110 and the reinforcing textile 120.

[0041] Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 4A-H, in one embodiment a textilelocking system 123, in the form of a joint material 123 a, is employedbetween the textile overlap sections 121 of the reinforcing textile 120to assist the reinforcing textile 120 to remain locked in an overlapposition when the finished pipe 10 is subjected to internal pressures.The joint material 123 a is injected between the textile overlapsections 121 by the joint material injector 235 just prior to theposition that the outside textile guide 232 joins together the textileoverlap sections 121. The joint material 123 a can be the same type ofmaterial that is used to form the inner wall 110, the outer wall 130, ora different material selected to help secure the textile overlapsections 121 from separating. In another embodiment, the joint material123 a is a tape, ribbon, strand, or the like that is placed intoposition between the textile overlap sections 121 prior to the textileguide 230 joining together the textile overlap sections 121.

[0042] In an alternative yet preferred embodiment, the textile lockingsystem 123 is a mechanical locking system utilizing mechanical devicessuch as hooks, piles, or other mechanical mechanisms. In a version ofthe textile locking system incorporating hook devices, a plurality ofhook devices extending up from the lower textile overlap section 121into the upper textile overlap section 121, down from the upper textileoverlap section 121 into the lower textile overlap system, or both. Thetextile locking system 123 using hook devices can use hook devicessimilar to the hook devices in a hook and pile closure system. In aversion of the textile locking system 123 that employs a pile typeelement, the pile type element can extend from the lower textile overlapsection 121 into the upper textile overlap section 121, from the uppertextile overlap section 121 into the lower textile overlap section 121,or both. The textile locking system 123 using a pile type element canhave a pile type element formed from the same fibers or yarns of thereinforcing material, and can also have the pile elements canted toangle back towards the center of the reinforcing textile 120. In anotherembodiment, the textile locking system 123 employing a mechanical devicecan incorporate the mechanical device onto a ribbon, strip, strand, orthe like that is placed into position between the textile overlapsections 121 prior to the textile guide 230 joining together the textileoverlap sections 121. The textile locking system 123 employing amechanical device in the form of a ribbon, strip, strand, or the like,the locking system 123 can also be positioned below the lower textileoverlap section 121 and extend up into both textile overlap sections121, or above the upper textile overlap section 121 and extend down intoboth textile overlap sections 121. Additionally the textile lockingsystem can employ both the joint material 123 a and the mechanicalsystems described above.

[0043] Referring back now to FIG. 3, once the textile locking system 123is located in place, the closing roller 237 presses the textile overlapsections 121 together in preparation for applying the outer wall 130.The outer wall 130 is formed around the inner wall 110 and reinforcingtextile 120 combination by the outer wall die 240. The inner wall 110and reinforcing textile 120 combination enters the outer wall die 240through the inside wall aperture 242 of the outer wall die 240. Theinside wall aperture taper 243 assists the inner wall 110 andreinforcing textile 120 combination transition into the outer wall die240. A thermoplastic material is extruded into the outer wall die 240and surrounds the inner wall 110 and reinforcing textile 120combination. The inner wall 110, reinforcing textile 120, and outer wall130 exit the outer wall die 240 through the outside die wall aperture246 in the outside die wall 245. The outside wall die 240 is illustratedin FIG. 3 as being perpendicular to the pipe 10; however, it iscontemplated that the outside wall die 240 can be at an angle such thatthe inside wall a inside die wall 241 and the outside die wall 245 forman acute angle to the inner wall 110 and reinforcing textile 120combination entering the outer wall die 240. This acute anglefacilitates the forming of the outer wall 130 on the pipe 10 and helpsreduce the tendency of the thermoplastic material to leak out of theinside die wall aperture 242.

[0044] Still referring to FIG. 3, air pressure applied to the passage223 in the mandrel 220 exits into the interior of the pipe 10 after theouter wall 130 has been formed. The plug 225 inside the pipe 10 helpsretain the pressure inside the pipe 10. A connecting chain 227 holds theplug 225 adjacent to the mandrel 220. The pressure applied within thepipe 10 prevents collapse of the entire structure as the three-layerpipe 10 hardens into its final shape. After hardening, the plug 225 isremoved and the resulting pipe structure 10 is ready for utilization intandem with other such pipes (not illustrated) as an entire highpressure pipeline (not illustrated).

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a partial view of atextile 300 for use as the reinforcing textile 110 illustrated in FIGS.1 and 2. The textile 300 includes electrode elements 311 and 312, andresistive elements 320. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the electrode elements311 and 312 are conductive materials that run parallel along the lengthof the textile 300 as the selvage yarns. The resistive elements 320 arewoven around the electrode elements 311 and 312, and interlaced to forma fabric. As an example, the resistive elements 320 can be a yarn formedof a flexible core having a fine resistance wire or tape wound spirallythereon, or having a layer of carbon particles bonded thereon by athermoplastic or resin binder. The electrode elements 311 and 312, andthe resistive elements 320 are flexible to form a fabric that can beplaced around the inner wall 110 as the reinforcing fabric 120illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, by using the textile 300 inFIG. 5 as the reinforcing fabric 120 in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electricalcurrent can be applied to the electrode elements 311 and 312 of thefabric 300 when in place within the pipe 10. The electrical currentsupplied to the electrode elements 311 and 312 passes through theresistive elements 320 and generates heat. In this manner, the pipe 10can be used to apply heat to the contents of the pipe 10, or tocompensate for the loss of thermal energy from the contents of the pipe10 to the exterior of the pipe.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown another embodiment of atextile 400 for use as the reinforcing textile 120 of the pipe 10 inFIGS. 1 and 2. The fabric 400 generally comprises selvage yarns 430,electrode yarns 411 and 412, and resistive yarns 420. The electrodeyarns 411 and 412 are woven around the selvage yarns 430 such that aresistive yarn 420 separates each electrode yarn 411 and 412. At eachintersection of the electrode yarns 411 and 412, the electrode yarns 411and 412 are insulated from making an electrical connection to eachother. At each intersection of the resistive yarn 420 with one of theelectrode yarns 411 and 412, the resistive yarn 420 is placed inelectrical connection with the respective electrode yarn 411 or 412. Inthis manner, an electrical circuit is formed having the electrodes 411and 412 interconnected by a series of segments from the resistive yarn420, thus forming a parallel resistive circuit. The parallel resistivecircuit can generate heat in a similar manner to the textile 300 byapplying an electrical current between the electrode yarns 411 and 412.Additionally, any break in yarn electrode 411 or 412, will create achange in the electrical potential across the electrode yarns 411 and412, indicating a location of the break. Therefore, a break within thepipe 10 causing a break of one of the electrodes 411 or 412, can belocated by measuring the electronic potential across the electrode yarns411 and 412.

[0048] In addition to the textiles 300 and 400 illustrated in FIGS. 5and 6, a traditional woven or knitted textile having thermal generatingelements can be incorporated as the reinforcing textile 120 illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, a traditional woven fabric having selvageyarns, pick yarns, and filling yarns, can incorporate the thermalheating aspects of the textiles 300 and 400. The picks of a traditionalwoven fabric can be the resistive elements, and the selvage yards and/orfill yarns can be a conductive material. Alternatively, the fill yarnscan be formed of a resistive material, and the pick yarns can beconductive yarns which are electrically supplied by conductive selvageyarns and/or conductive fill yarns. In yet another embodiment, theresistive yarns can be a combination of pick and fill yarns.

[0049] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown an apparatus 500 for thein situ formation and placement of an embodiment of the pipe from thepresent invention. The apparatus 500 includes a transportation device510 such as a truck, a trench or ditch digging device 520 located on thetransport device 510, and an apparatus for formation of the pipe 530such as the pipe forming apparatus 20 in FIG. 3. A supply of reinforcingtextile 540 (such as a roll of the reinforcing textile 120 in FIG. 1) ispositioned with the transportation device 510 to supply the pipe formingdevice 530 with the necessary reinforcing material 120 to form the pipe10. Additionally, an extruding device 550 with a plastic supply 551 ispositioned with the transportation device 510 for supplying meltedmaterial to the inner wall dye 210 of the pipe forming apparatus 200 forforming the inner wall 110 of the pipe 10. A second extruding device 560with a material supply 561 extrudes material and supplies the materialto the outer wall die 240 of the pipe forming apparatus 530 for formingthe outer wall 130 of the pipe 10. Although the two extruding devices550 and 560 have been illustrated as a separate supply, it iscontemplated that the two extruding devices could be a single extrudingdevice.

[0050] Still referring to FIG. 7, the ditch or trench digging device 510removes material from the ground for placement of the pipe 10. Theextruding apparatus 520 receives extruded material from the extrusiondevice 550, reinforcing material 20 from the supply, and extrudedmaterial from the extrusion device 560 for forming the inner wall 110,reinforcing textile 120, and outer wall 130, respectively, of the pipe10. The pipe 10 is positioned within the trench or ditch formed by thetrench or ditch digging device 520 and earth is placed over the pipe 10as necessary. The process is continuous allowing the transportationdevice 510 to form and place the pipe 10 in situ.

[0051]FIG. 8 thus shows four separate textile reinforcement materials610, 620, 630, 640, each with individually tapered ends 612, 614, 622,624, 632, 634, 642, 644, that have been arranged around thecircumference of the target resin pipe 602. Upon contacting of thesematerials 610, 620, 630, 640, as shown, the tapered ends 612, 614, 622,624, 632, 634, 642, 644, overlap with each other and, upon introductionof molten resin which then cools, the reinforcement materials 610, 620,630, 640 thus adhere not only together, but also with the resinmaterials 602, thereby providing a reinforced pipe 602.

[0052] Having described the invention in detail it is obvious that oneskilled in the art will be able to make variations and modificationsthereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determinedonly by the claims appended hereto.

What we claim is:
 1. A pipe comprising at least one layer of thermallymanipulated polymeric material and at least one reinforcement material,wherein the average wall thickness of said thermally manipulatedpolymeric material within said pipe is at most 5 millimeters, whereinsaid pipe exhibits an internal pressure resistance of at least 5 bars.2. The pipe of claim 1 wherein said average wall thickness of saidthermally manipulated polymeric material is at most 4 millimeters. 3.The pipe of claim 2 wherein the wall thickness of said thermallymanipulated polymeric material is at most 3 millimeters.
 4. The pipe ofclaim 3 wherein the wall thickness of said thermally mainpulatedpolymeric material is at most 1 millimeter.
 5. The pipe of claim 1wherein said reinforcement material is a textile reinforcement material.6. The pipe of claim 1 wherein said pipe exhibits an internal pressureresistance of at least 20 bars.